Anthony Cooney (37), of no fixed abode, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for sentencing.
He pleaded guilty to one count of theft.
Garda James Dowley told the court that on January 6, 2026, at approximately 8pm, gardaí received reports of a theft from a retail store in Rathnew.
The deputy manager observed Mr Cooney place €330 worth of alcohol into a black bin liner, while his co-accused, who is still before the courts, allegedly stole further stock valued at €490.
Both men fled the scene and were observed driving away in a white Vauxhall Corsa.
Gda Dowley stated that he carried out patrols in an effort to locate the vehicle, but the following morning he was contacted by a garda from Kevin Street Garda Station in Dublin, informing him that the accused had been found sitting in the vehicle.
The court heard that Mr Cooney had previously been sentenced in Kildare for the unauthorised taking of the same Vauxhall.
After reviewing CCTV, Mr Cooney was identified due to a distinctive Burberry scarf.
The court was told that Mr Cooney has 60 previous convictions for theft, burglary, robbery and public order offences.
He is currently due before the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin before Judge Martin Nolan for the possible reactivation of a previously suspended sentence.
Counsel for the accused, Sorcha Dianamh Ní Néill Fulham BL, told the court that her client began using heroin at 12 years of age and later developed an addiction to crack cocaine.
She said that Mr Cooney sought residential treatment in the UK, where he became a motivational speaker and advised UK law enforcement on dealing with addiction.
Ms Fulham noted that Mr Cooney is currently on 20mg of methadone a day, having reduced from a previous level of 80mg.
Judge David Kennedy remarked that Mr Cooney had an “atrocious record” before sentencing him to nine months imprisonment.
He backdated the sentence to February 2026 when Mr Cooney surrendered his bail.
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